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Chelmsford man admits to child porn possession

LOWELL -- A Chelmsford man pleaded guilty in Lowell Superior Court on Monday to two counts of possession of child pornography.

Judge Robert Gordon sentenced John Dowd to three years probation on each count.

According to Meghan Kelly, spokesperson for the Middlesex District Attorney's office, Dowd must also register as a sex offender.

Dowd, of 26 Westland Ave. in Chelmsford, became the subject of an investigation last August after the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip that he had child pornography on multiple "media storage devices."

Dowd previously told The Sun he may have had some images on a computer of his from research he was doing for a book he has been working on. Police reports revealed that Dowd told police he had been downloading such images for years.

"The defendant was also ordered to refrain from unsupervised contact with any child under the age of eighteen; not access any internet services from any handheld device; not use, enter, visit, participate in, or remain in any online social networking, with the sole exception of electronic mail..." Kelly said in an email.

In addition, he was ordered to disclose the names of all online services, electronic mail providers and screen names he uses, not share the use of his computer or handheld devices with others and disclose these conditions with people he lives with.

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The case was prosecuted by Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Radu Brestyan. Dowd's lawyer is Pat Richard.

In 2011, Dowd founded the Sadie Awards to recognize those who do good deeds and contribute to the community. The awards are named after Dowd's dog Sadie, a sheltie. Last August, Dowd expressed concern that his legal troubles could tarnish the Sadie Awards.

Dowd initially appeared in court in a wheelchair with Sadie at his side. He recently had both of his legs amputated below the knee as a result of ailing health.

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